ea 


LINCOLN  ROOM 

UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


MEMORIAL 

the  Class  of  1901 

founded  by 

HARLAN  HOYT  HORNER 

and 

HENRIETTA  CALHOUN  HORNER 


Captain  Lincoln's 


An  Indian  Plat}  for  dous 


By 
RE  A  1DOODMAH 


Price  15  cents 


crhe  IDoodman  Plaus  Company 

IDichita,  Kansas 


Copyright,  1928,  by  Rea  Woodman. 


Printed  by  The  Wichita  Publishing  Company 
Wichita,  Kansas 


Captain  Lincoln' s^Way^ j? 


CAPTAIN    LINCOLN'S   WAY 
An  Indian  Dialogue  for  Boys 

Persons  Represented 

Abraham  Lincoln,  , 

Captain  of  the   Sangamon  Company,  14th 
Illinois  Volunteers. 

An  Old  Indian. 

First  Soldier     ^  _ 

Second  Soldier  I  Of  the  Sangamon  Company 
Third  Soldier      f  of  the  14th  Illinois  Volunteers. 
Fourth  Soldier  J 
Several  Soldiers  of  the  Sangamon  Company. 

Time:  The  Spring  of  1832;  The  Black  Hawk 
War. 

Place:  A  Military  Camp  in  Northern  Illinois. 

(Scene:  an  open  place.  Two  or  three  trees  to 
the  right.  In  the  background,  somewhat  to  the 
side,  an  army  tent,  with  the  flaps  down—  the 
door  shut."  The  First  and  Second  Soldiers  are 
lounging  on  the  ground;  the  Third  Soldier  is 
leaning  lazily  against  a  tree.  Their  guns  are  near 
them;  their  clothing  a  combination  of  frontiers- 
man and  soldier.) 

First  Soldier  Aw,  what  yer  givin'  us?  Them 
Injuns  was  under  a  flag  of  truce! 

Second  Soldier  S'pose  they  was,  you  can't 
trust  an  Injun,  no  matter  what  he's  carrym  . 

Third  Soldier  A  flag  of  truce  is  always  ter  be 
respected;  that's  good  military  tactics. 

First  Soldier  Black  Hawk  did  the  right  thing 
to  swoop  down  on  'em.  Stillman  should  have 
know'd  he'd  get  wiped  out.  Not  even  an  Injun  s 
goin'  ter  stan'  fur  shootin'  down  a  man  that  car- 
ries a  white  flag! 

Third  Soldier  An'  Stillman  had  only  two  hun- 
dred and  seventy  men.  What  was  that  agin  two 
thousand? 


Captain  Lincoln's  Way 


First  Soldier  Two  thousand?  Why,  man  alive, 
Black  Hawk's  got  five  thousand!  'At's  what  Sam 
Gillan  says  'at  he  heard.  Stillman  didn't  have  no 
show  from  the  start.  Five  thousand  mad  Injuns, 
a-howlin'  and  a-hootin' — 

Third  Soldier  Who's  afraid  of  their  howlin' 
and  hootin'?  Yellin'  aint  never  killed  anybody  yit. 

Second  Soldier  (wagging  his  head  ivith  in- 
tense  conviction)  It's  come  pretty  nigh  ter  killin' 
'em.  You  take  five  thousand  Injuns  on  the  war- 
path, enjoyin'  of  theirselves,  an'  I  tell  you,  fellers, 
I  ain't  the  man  as  wants  ter  face  'em! 

Third  Soldier  So  long  as  a  feller  has  a  good 
gun  he's  safe,— jes'  keep  the  Injun  in  front  of 
you,  an'  blaze  away. 

Second  Soldier  What  if  the  Injun  is  jes' 
naturally  behind  you,  an'  he  blazes  away  first? 

First  Soldier  (taking  up  his  gun  to  polish  the 
stock)  This  Company  could  wipe  out  them  pesky 
red  varmints  in  no  time.  If  this  War  ends  with- 
out our  wipin'  'em  up,  it  won't  be  much  of  a  War, 
that's  all  I  got  to  say. 

Third  Soldier  (yawning  hugely)  It's  no 
shakes  of  a  war,  ennyway.  We  ain't  seen  an  Injun 
yit. 

Second  Soldier  It  won't  worry  me  into  an 
airly  grave  if  we  never  see  one. 

Third  Soldier  (chewing  a  tivig  meditatively) 
Injun  fightin's  like  learnin'  a  trick;  if  you  know 
the  trick,  you  kin  do  it;  if  you  don't,  you  might 
as  well  quit.  If  you  don't  know  the  kink  of 
fighting  Injuns,  cut  for  the  tall  timber.  That's  my 
advice  if  ennybody's  askin'  you. 

First  Soldier  (polishing  his  gun  stock)  Wall, 
I  say  it's  time  somebody  settled  old  Black  Hawk. 
He  hates  the  white  man  worser'n  pizzen.  Last 
year,  you  mind,  he  ramped  around  fur  a  spell. 

(Enter  [right]  while  the  First  Soldier  is 
speaking)  "a  poor,  forlorn,  solitary,  hungry,  help- 
less old  Indian."  Over  his  deerskin  trousers  and 
flannel  shirt  he  wears  an  old  red  blanket  tightly 
wrapped  around  him.  He  is  timid  and  scared,  and 
hides  behind  a  tree.) 

Third  Soldier  If  the  Sangamon  boys  ever 
run  across  him  he'll  stop  his  rampin'  mighty 
quick. 


Way 


Second  Soldier  (stretching  and  yawning) 
That's  right,  old  pard!  He'll  be  a  (load  Injun  on 
the  spot. 

(Enter  [left]  the  Fourth  Soldier,  running,  gun 
in  hand.) 

Fourth  Soldier  Black  Hawk's  on  the  ramp- 
age  agin!  He's  comin'! 

First  Soldier  (comfortably)  Aw,  go  chase 
yourself!  Black  Hawk'll  never  get  this  far  from 
base! 

nd  Soldier  (springing  up)  By  Jinks, 
there  is  an  Injun!  (The  Indicni  starts  forward, 
timidly.)  Halt! 

Third  Soldier  (pointing  his  gun  at  the  In- 
dian)    Stand  still,  you  pesky  old  rat! 

Indian  (taking  a  folded  paper  from  his  belt) 
Injun  white  man's  friend.  See  um  paper  talk: 
from  Big  White  Chief. 

First  Soldier  (yanking  the  Indian  forward) 
Paper  nothin'!  What  do  you  want  here? 

Indian  (looking  piteoitsly  from  one  to  the 
other)  Injun  white  man's  friend.  See  paper  um 
talks;   paper  um  talks! 

Second  Soldier  (suddenly  very  valiant)  He's 
a  spy!  (He  takes  hold  of  the  Indian  roughly.) 
We'll  string  you  up  with  your  talkin'  paper! 

Indian  (pleadingly)  See  um  talkin'  paper! 
See  um  talkin'  paper! 

Third  Soldier  Like  enough  it's  old  Black 
Hawk  himself! 

Fourth  Soldier  (searching  the  Indian  rough- 
hi)  Surrender,  you  old  villian!  Don't  shake  that 
fool  paper  at  us! 

Indian  Me  good  Injun!  White  Man  say  so. 
See  um  talkin'  paper! 

(Enter  [right]  three  Soldiers,  on  the  run.) 

Soldiers  We  saw  him  comin'!  He  come  up 
along  the  creek! 

Third  Soldier  He's  sure  enough  Injun.  We'll 
soon  settle  him! 

Indian  (falling  on  his  shaking  old  knees)  Me 
good  Injun!  See  um  talkin'  paper! 

First  Saldier  Get  up,  you  old  rascal!  When 
wimmen  beg  for  mercy,  you  scalp  'em! 


G  Captain  Lincoln's  Way 


Second  Soldier  (trying  to  force  the  Indian  to 
get  up)  Get  up,  I  say!— Here,  fellows,  lend  a 
hand! 

Soldiers  (in  loud  tones,  swarming  around  the 
kneeling  Indian)  String  him  up!  Shoot  'im! 
Hangings  too  good  for  'im!  He  kills  wimmin  an 
children!  He  burns  cabins  with  the  folks  mside! 
Hustle  him  along!  Get  up,  you  old  fire  bug!  We 
ought  to  scalp  him,  by  rights!  (They  try  to  get 
him  up;  failing  that,  they  attempt  to  drag  him 
along.)     Now,  all  together,  one  two  three! 

(The  flaps  of  the  tent  fly  open,  and  Captain 
Abraham  Lincoln  rushes  from  the  tent.  He  is  hat- 
less,  coatless,  collarless,  with  his  vest  flying  open. 
Evidently  just  roused  from  sleep.) 

Lincoln  What's  the  row  here?  Stand  back, 
you  fellows!  (He  dashes  into  the  crowd,  push- 
ing and  striking  right  and  left,  and  scatters  the 
men,  revealing  the  scared  old  Indian  in  a  trembl- 
ing heap  on  the  ground,  holding  on  to  his  talking 
paper.")  You're  a  brave  lot,  you  are,  all  piling  on 
one  old  Redskin,  and  a  scared  one,  at  that! 
What's  the  matter  with  you?  Would  you  hang  an 
unprotected  man?— a  friendless  man?  You  re  a 
hefty  bunch  of  soldiers! 

First  Soldier  (rubbing  his  shins,  hurt  in  the 
scrimmage)     He's  a  spy!  f 

Lincoln  (scornfully)  He  looks  like  it,  doesn  t 
he? 

Third  Soldier      It's  old  Black  Hawk  hisself ! 
Second  Soldier    We've  got  to  kill  the  varmints 
— rid  the  country  of  'em. 

Fourth  Soldier  (waving  his  gun)  We're  gom' 
to  hang  him  higher'n  a  kite!  (The  Soldiers  begin 
to  crowd  around  the  Indian  again,  threateningly.) 
Come  along,  you  old  fire-bug! 

Lincoln  (sternly)  Fall  back  there,  fellows! 
Fall  back,  will  you!  Let  the  Injun  alone.  He 
hasn't  done  anything  to  you.  He  can  t  hurt  you. 
He  couldn't  hurt  a  rabbit!  Let  him  alone,  I  say! 
(The  Indian  half  runs,  half  crawls  to  Lincoln  s 
feet.) 

Indian  (holding  up  the  paper  in  a  shaking 
hand)  See  'urn  talkin'  paper!  Me  good  Injun! 
(Lincoln  eyes  him  thoughtfully.) 

First  Soldier  (to  Lincoln)  What's  the  idee? 
Want  'im  to  put  in  a  muzesum? 


Captain  Lincoln's  Way 


Second  Soldier    (to  Lincoln)     What  are  you 
afraid  of,  Capt'n?  Well  settle  him  for  you. 
Lincoln     (quietly)     "Settle  him  for  me?      _ 
Second  Soldier    If   you're   afraid,   hand    him 
over  to  us. 

Lincoln     (more  quietly)     If  I  m  what.' 
Second  Soldier     (with  a  swagger)     I  say  we 
tint  afraid,  if  you  are.  Hand  him  over  to  us. 
Indian     (brokenly)     See  urn  talkin'  paper! 
Lincoln     (coldly)  Who  says  I'm  afraid?  (The 
Indian   looks  at  him   anxiously    with   the  paper 
outstretched.  Lincoln  coolly  rolls  up  his  sleeves, 
then  deliberately  steps  in  front  of  the  crouching 
Indian.)     The  man  who  says  I'm  a  coward  fights 
me  here  and  now.     (to  the  Second  Soldier)     Are 
you  ready? 

Third  Soldier  Aw,  Capt'n,  hold  on!  That's 
not  fair! 

Second  Soldier  You're  bigger'n  we  are,  an' 
heavier.  You  don't  give  us  a  show. 

Lincoln  I'll  give  all  the  show  you  want,  boys; 
more  show  than  you  give  this  Injun.  1 11  tell  you 
what.  I'll  fight  you  all,  one  after  the  other,  just 
as  you  come.  What  do  you  say?  Take  it  out  of 
me,  if  you  can,  but  you  shall  not  touch  this  In- 
dian. When  a  man  comes  to  me  for  help  he  s  go- 
ing to  get  it,  if  I  have  to  lick  all  Sangamon 
County.  (There  is  a  silence.)  Are  you  ready/ 
Who's  first? 

First  Soldier  (sullenly,  backing  off)  I  reckon 
you  kin  have  the  old  Injun,  Capt'n.  (He  goes 
out,  to  right.) 

Second  Soldier  Reckon  I  don't  want  the  In- 
jun nohow,  Capt'n.  (He  slouches  out,  to  right, 
with  two  other  Soldiers.) 

Fourth  Soldier  Take  yer  Injun,  Capt'n.  I  re- 
sign. (He  follows,  to  right.) 

Third  Soldier  (with  a  grin)  It's  nothin'  to 
me,  Capt'n.  You're  welcome  to  the  ole  rip.  (He 
goes  out,  whistling,  with  the  rest  of  the  Soldiers.) 
Lincoln  (having  turned,  and  taken  a  long 
look  at  the  crouching  Indian)  Well,  my  friend/ 
Indian  (tremuously)  Me  good  Injun.  White 
Chief  say  me  good  Injun! 


8  ( 'uptuhi  I  incoln'8  Way 


Lincoln  (motioning  him  to  get  u}>)  Shake. 
They  shake  hands  solemnly.)  Let's  see  that 
paper.  (He  reach  it.)  Oh,  you're  from  General 
Cass's  Division!  "A  true  friend,"  he  says  here. 
That's  all  right;  we'll  take  care  of  you. 

Indian     Me  friend  of  urn  White  Man. 

Lincoln  (nodding  and  handing  had:  the 
paper)     That's  all  right 

Indian  (with  a  sigh  of  relief)  Me  heapum 
hungry. 

Lincoln  I  reckon  you  are.  Come  get  some 
grub.  (He  swings  out,  to  left,  the  Indian  follow- 
ing hopefully.) 

(In  a  few  seconds,  from  right,  re-enter  the 
First  Soldier.  He  stops  suddenly,  as  if  struck 
with  something  he  sees  straight  ahead,  offstage, 
to  left.) 

(Re-enter  [right]  the  Second  Soldier,  ivhist- 
ling  lustily.) 

Second  Soldier  (stopping  to  look  where  the 
First  Soldier  is  looking)     Well,  I'll  swan! 

First  Soldier  (looking  to  left,  offstage)  Di- 
vidin'  his  grub  with  an  Injun! 

Second  Soldier     Jes'  so. 

(Curtain  on  the  two  stolidly  staring  to  the  left) 


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The  Patient  Princess  A  Romantic  Drama  in 
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UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS-URBANA 

973  7L63H3W85C  C001 

CAPTAIN  LINCOLN'S  WAY.  AN  INDIAN  PLAY  FO 


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